The definition of a dark horse is one who is little-known and not expected to win but may take people by surprise. Well, Ajay Devgan is certainly not little-known but when compared to today’s stalwarts of the Indian cinema like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan, we can agree that his name isn’t as prominent in the news. Yet that may not be a bad thing for Devgan.

He has his own way of doing things and it seems to be working for him. His work in films like Company, The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Omkara have proven this fact.

Devgan does break the rules no and again but he is an intense actor. The audience cheered his power-packed performance in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Halla Bol and is now looking to keep them in splits with his recently released Sunday directed by Rohit Shetty.

Besides acting, Devgan has produced two films - Hindustan Ki Kasam and Raju Chacha. He will also be donning the directorial cape in his debut film U Me Aur Hum which is scheduled to release in April. He has just completed the first shooting schedule on a luxury liner. He and the crew have now returned to Mumbai to complete the film.

The actor has gone from action hero to character actor. Ishq was the turning point for the change in the type of roles it seems. He can essay the role of a macho man and funny man. In Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam we saw his acclaimed portrayal of the understanding husband.

During his journey he has received two “best actor” National Awards and is said to be the first choice of Indian directors, Ram Gopal Varma and Rajkumar Santoshi. In fact a comment by Santoshi went as such: “One of Ajay’s strengths is that he can get under the skin of any well-written role and make it his own. He has sharp, expressive eyes. He appears to be very natural in all the challenging characters he has played so far.”

Santoshi is now keen on making a film based on emperor Ashoka and a mythological film based on epic Ramayan. He wants Devgan for both.

“I am sure people will be astounded how he will interpret the two compellingly fascinating characters. Ajay is one of the few leading men in the industry today who will some day become a very valued character actor,” says Santoshi.

So the “dark horse” is off an running to the finish line. We await his arrival.